 So I can't lie. Epsom salt is not the cure-all for TS. But studies show that a warm bath with two cups of this magic for twenty minutes can greatly encourage relaxation. With relaxation comes less tics. For centuries people have used it. Studies also show that TS kids are often deficient in magnesium - and since Epsom salt has a ginormous amount of that (I know... my scientific language is staggering) it makes sense to let our beautiful children's bodies absorb it while they're playing in the tub anyway. (1 cup with a foot soak works as well.) I recently ordered fifty pounds of Epsom Salt from Salt Works Inc. I got free shipping which brought it to less than $1.00/pound compared to the $3.00/pound it can cost retail. While I never run out of red wine or Yuban, I am always running low on Epson salt (because I am a terrible mother and don't say I'm not because my child would not have TS if I were a good mother.... oh wait... did my subconscious just say that? Well hardy har har your's probably has, too, or you wouldn't be reading this and yes... it's total crap. My weird subconscious thoughts - not the salt.) Speaking of, when Rex came home from work to find this huge box of crystals, he did a quick check for Snow White's dwarfs. (Or did they hunt diamonds? Either way, it looked like a mining factory. Just go with me on this, kay?) The good people at Salt Works graciously offered to send a five-pound bag of salt to the winner of this contest. (Translation: I asked, they said yes. Hooray for them! I will definitely be back to shop!) If you've never tried Epsom salt, or you just like a freebie like me, this is your chance to win. * Contest rules 1. You must leave your name here. 2. Your child must tic. That's it! If it turns out you are really some old lady in Arkansas that is using the Epsom salt for her Birkenstock calluses, you are going to have to live with your deception and thievery each and every day. Trust me - a dollop of sugar and lies will not taste good in that Senior Burger King coffee. Contest ends Friday February 19. And remember: A ticking kid with confidents outweighs an insecure non-ticking kid any day of the week. (Someone, please help me shorten that sentiment.) * Disclosure: I paid for my 50 pounds of salt, but Salt Works is comping the 5 pound bag for the lucky winner. Thanks Salt Works! Epsom Salt Cream for Tics - More Magnesium 02/02/2010
 I have been reading at ACN about the wonders of Epsom salt cream. I have always used Epsom Salt in the bath (2 cups for 20 minutes in the tub or 1 cup in a foot bath for 10 minutes) since it has magnesium in it which greatly calms the nerves/helping the tics. The forum recently mentioned that Epsom Salt cream can work wonders when placed on an area of discomfort. Example: If your child stretches his neck, place it there. You can buy it, such as this Kirkman Labs Magnesium Sulphate cream. You can also make it, but I'm honestly not that handy. We'll see. I am simply quoting from the link above. 1. Pour a bottle of unflavored Milk of Magnesia though paper or cloth filter (I used a #6 cone coffee filter). Discard the liquid and keep the thick residue. 2. Melt coconut oil (I melt a pint jar of coconut oil in a pan of hot water) Note: you can buy coconut oil in most health food stores--- less expensive in Asian or International grocery stores --- I buy it locally in an Asian market for about $6.00 a pint. 3. Combine and mix with a hand-held electric mixer (stick type works best): 1 cup melted coconut oil (Omega 6 essential fatty acid) 1/2 cup flaxseed oil (Omega 3 essential fatty acid) 3/4 cup Milk of Magnesia residue(thick residue from the filter) This mixture will seize up into soft margarine consistency within seconds! 4. Store it in clean small lidded containers. I keep it in the refrigerator but it holds consistency if left at room temperature except during very hot weather. 5. Use liberally as a hand and/or body lotion. It absorbs quickly. Improved brain function, increased memory and concentration is discernable about an hour after use. 6. It may also have an effect on body mass through eliminating excess water in the tissues, I've been using it lately on my "midriff bulge" and I'm not as puffy as before. Also, more frequent urination for a few hours after application. I don't know exactly what is going on, but my clothes are fitting much better! If anyone tries this, let me know! AND REMEMBER...A confident child who tics outweighs a non-ticking insecure one. Go hug that ticker today! Living With Tics - Less Ticked Off 02/01/2010
So just yesterday I wrote about my irriatation with the tics. Part of it was seeing my son go through a bunch of movements all at once. But part of of it was not knowing, as a mom, what I should be doing to help him. I called the office of a top Tourettes specialist from UCLA today. Amazingly enough, the assistant to the main psychiatrist took 20 minutes with me on the phone. I told her about the tic increases. I told her I was considering meds but felt unsure since Stink was such a happy kid. Who would I be medicating him for? She asked me a series of questions. 1. Is he having trouble concentrating in class? (no) 2. Do the tics impede him socially? (no) 3. Do they impede him physically other than making him stand out? (no) 4. Are his grades good? (yes) 5. Does he have emotional problems or outbursts? (no) 6. Does he have friends (too many) Her response: Don't even bother at this time. "So he stands out a bit. He's happy. He's confident. You are doing him a far better service teaching him to be comfortable in his own skin than eradicating what makes him a wee bit different. All the most incredible/stand-out people in this world have something that make him different." AMEN! And so, that answered my question. And so I relaxed. And with me relaxed, guess who else is ticking 50% less? Coincidence or not? I don't know, but I'll take it. More to come as I plan on ordering Bonnie Grimaldi's Tourettes Vitamin Supplements. I am not going to do so with the intention of "curing" TS. But I do think it will be a nice balance between "doing what I can" and then "accepting what Dominic has...some minor tics" without dulling his spirit with Clonodine. I'd welcome comments and suggestions. And, as always, remember: A confident kid who tics outweighs an insecure non-ticking child any day of the week. So go give that ticker a big hug! (Throw in some OCD with it: Hug him 3 times in a row. Go for it!) More Tics - I'm Ticked Off 01/31/2010
This school year - first grade - has definitely shown an increase in tics. Stink had gone from occasional bouts of them to a pretty steady stream of them. He's rarely without some sort of motion, be it an eye roll, a shoulder shrug, a throat clear, a tongue click. Luckily he tends to stick to one at a time. The past few weeks, though, he has put many of them together, and that's when it becomes more obvious. Yesterday, right before his seventh birthday party, he started squatting. I thought I would faint. There's a little shit in his class (speaking of squatting) who constantly makes fun of Stink - especially about his squatting tic. (I call it the Ass Tic cause I'm classy.) I suppose I should be thrilled that Stink isn't too affected by this kid. After all, I practically have to drag it out of him. When he tells me about his day, and the little shit who mimics him, I ask him why he didn't tell his teacher. "I forgot!" he says merrily, before launching into some opinion about the next chapter of Harry Potter. I often persist, "But you can go on meds if you want if the taunts ever bug you." Stink's response, "Never! I love my tics! Way more than I love the little shit!" Of course my Sunday School goer doesn't refer to his class mate as "The Little Shit". But seriously, if you looked up this kid in the dictionary, you'd see his smiling face inserted in a big log of poo. Moving on. I am glad that Stink is so happy with himself. But as a mother, it sometimes breaks my heart. I know I can't "cure it" per say, but I'm also disappointed that all my magnesium supplements and good food isn't making more of a difference. I'm angry that I can't just accept this. I am now a bit worried about Pandas. I'm worried that his mild to medium symptoms are going to become more severe jerks and grunts. I worry that I'm going to give Stink a complex when I'm visably irritated by his constant motions. (I try to curb that, but sometimes I can't help it. I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I've screamed, "Can't you just stop that! You're driving me CRAZY!" Not okay, just saying I'm human.) I worry that I'm doing him a disservice by not having him on medication. I'm PISSED that I still don't have a good doctor that can guide me on this. I'm beyond frustrated that there is no cure to this confusing disorder. But... and here's the great thing... my son is beyond happy with who he is. He told me (and I can't make this crap up) "when I am dead I hope I am an angel with Tourettes." I guess I'm doing okay so far. But man, I do wish those tics would settle down. More to come. (And I wish that Little Shit would go down the toilet where he belongs.) Natural Tic Cures - Do You Buy It? 11/13/2009
 I know I owe you all a post on Sheila Rogers natural tics relief book, Chapter 1. I haven't started reading it yet thoughet. I'm working again - loving it - so got side tracked. But... Stink's tics have been about the same for the past month and I'm frustrated. Lots of minor vocals soundlng like tiny squeaks and hiccups. Only my friends that are looking for it notice it. My mom thinks I'm nuts. Yes, it could be worse. I'm really trying to take my own advice and be happy it's not much more. But WHY CAN'T I STOP IT!??? Oh yeah (hitting head on desk) HE HAS TOURETTES. Keep forgetting. A few things have contributed to his increase: 1. Allergy season (yup, it's true. Going to buy a Hepa filter at some point - 1 for his room, 1 for downstairs and 1 for his classroom. Expenses like this make me glad to be working. Anyone else try the Hepa Filter route? 2. Halloween. Candy, go away! Tired of you! Tired of the Tic and Treating! 3. Sickness. I swear he's been nursing a cold for a month. When his immune system is down, tics go up. In doing some research, I came across this ad With the name "Tic Tamer" I can only think about those old medicine carts that sold "Stay Young Forever" potions and were full of crap. And yet... and yet... maybe they could work? They've got all the stuff that so many people say really helps calm tics. Personally, if I try anything new, I'm betting the farm (the funny farm at the rate I'm going with these tics) on Bonnie Grimaldi's TS forumlas. I have heard amazing things about her stuff. It's expensive, but again, that's why I'm working. But... (I like Big Buts and I cannot lie... moving on... feeling punchy tonight... maybe it's a tic?) until I really find a doctor I trust who will look over the ingredients, I'm not pumping my child full of cure-all vitamins. God forbid I overdose the kid on something when his tics don't even bug him all that much. And really, in the whole scale of things, what are a few vocals? I mean, REALLY Andrea, calm down! So that's where I"m at. How are you all? Thoughts on "Tic Tamers" and vitamins you've tried or have not tried? Who has their kids on medication and who has seen good results with it? Who is just so tired of thinking about tics they could just run naked through the streets drunk on Negro Modelos and forget the world for a while. That would be me! (Who is still sadly clothed, thinking about tics, drinking Yuban. But damn happy about life otherwise. Love my hubby and son and daughter and job and... that's all for now.) Andrea Sheila Rogers & Suppressing Tics Naturally 10/27/2009
Many folk in TS circles, including regulars over at ACN, rave about Sheila Roger's book Natural Treatments for Tics and Tourettes. (More info here.) I have used many principles in Roger's book (diet, supplements, etc.) , but have yet to read the book cover to cover. With allergy season upon us, and Stink's tics at an all time high (think very soft hiccups and eye rolls every 5 seconds - no joke) I am ready to pour into this book once again. (No, not saying he doesn't have a neurological disposition to ticking, but 3 years into my journey, I've noticed that rain and seasonal changes bring out the worst tics. Food for thought to be sure. Organic,non-food dyed, no wheat food, of course. I had the good fortune of corresponding with Rogers over email last year and did a small review for her when i was writring for BabyCenter. Rogers talked me down a ledge when I thought I couldn't hear Stink cough one more time (pool season... cholorine... it gets him every time. The remedy? Epsom salt - 2 cups in his bath for 20 minutes or 1 cup for 10. The magnesium helps take out the toxins. It kind of worked, but not 100%. But I suppose, like all this natural approach, it's not going to cure something. It will simply keep our kids healthy. Like with Stink's "All Time High" now of tics - it's not crazy jerking, barking, screaming or cursing. He's just softly vocalizing. Perhaps it would be worse if I didn't keep him on such a balanced diet. I will never know.) But why can't I make the noises stop all together for God Sake??? Oh yeah. He has Tourettes. I keep forgetting. More to come. Would love to hear if anyone has read Sheila's book. Or perhaps we can all read some chapters together and do a mini-book club on it? Who's game? I This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar. No New Groups Forming For Now 10/12/2009
HI all - Thanks for all your comments a few posts back about wanting to join a second Twitch and Bitch Group. Here's the deal: Everyone has been saying they are interested (some I've sent invites to) but no matter how many times I've tried to start a second or third group, it never really takes off. Sure, at the beginning, there's some interest, but it always fades away. So for now, this website is going to be the support group. If any mom out there finds a connection with another mom here, please leave an email in the comment box and write to each other. Form a group. Be pro-active! Invite me to participate here and there.I will absolutely answer any questions I have or point you in the right direction. (I am no expert of course.) But with my other group, this website, and my other jobs, I can't keep forming groups that people, despite best intentions, aren't actively engaging in. That said, ACN is an amazing place to get information on TS as well as write in daily to find out more info. In the meanwhile, I will try and post more here. If you've got questions on specific subjects, leave the information here in the comments and I'll do my best to answer you in the comments or do a whole new post on it. I'm at the point now, though, I'm feeling kind of overwhelmed. I can't do all this on my own anymore. For people new to TS, please wrtie me. I will ALWAYS write you back. You are not alone. Let this website be a starting point for you. I want to help in anyway I can. Much luck and thanks - Andrea Dear Tics - I Win 09/04/2009
Dear Tics - You completely suck. And I'll tell you why. You see, I actually thought with all my healthy cooking, supplements and Epsom salt baths that I was going to keep you at bay. I was so convinced that I was mastering you that I even dedicated an entire blog to how to defeat you. And most days, yes, I wage a pretty good war against your crafty little empire of blinks, eye rolls, shoulder shrugs and occasional vocal "hmmmms" that make me want to run for the hills with a bottle of Two Buck Chuck and a set of 1970's headphones. But here's the discouraging point - the extra large bullet POINT part that shines a light on my little narcissistic self who thinks that because I'm Stink's mom, and I love him so much, I can take you down. But somedays, no matter how hard I fight, I can't win. Nope. No matter what I do, you're going to take over Stink's face when you want to. Regardless of how much sleep I give him, or how many enzyme pills or probiotics he so willingly takes from my hands, if you feel like throwing in a nasty head bob moments before his videotaped Xmas show, then by golly you will so I can remember it for all eternity. Which leads me to doubt my claims that I have control over. you. "Ha ha!" you seem to snark at me. "You have no power. Stink's good and bad days are simply the normal waxing and waning of tics." Perhaps you are right. I know that all of Stink's Western medicine doctors who would rather medicate him would agree. But deep in my mama gut, I know that a healthy diet with exercise and some good vitamins is waaaay better than watching a zillion hours of television and ingesting Taco Bell combo plates like they're going out of style. And so, dear tics, you might be powerful on occasion. But you won't bring me down. I will always win. Because "Mama Gut" will take "Nasty Tic" down any day of the week. Like many of your children where tics suddenly presented themselves in a rushing blast of intensity, I've received an insane rush of emails this month from moms who are fearing the worst. I remember those days of feeling so alone. It seemed everyone knew someone who had a daughter who had a friend with TS or tics, but NO ONE KNEW ANYONE PERSONALLY. Don't even get me started on the whole neurologist nightmare. If you're one of those parents new to this journey, I have 3 things to say: 1. Don't freak out. Your child most likely is just very sensitive and is having some very common childhood tics. The right diet, exercise, and supplements can really help. 2. I am going to really try to post here once a week. (I know I've said that before, but with my kids starting school soon, this is more feasible.) I'll start with Thursdays - Tic/Tourette Thursday. It will be a nice jumpstart to get conversations started on a public forum. 3. For those who want more private time, I highly recommend you leave an email here so that other moms can contact you. Then you can form your own personal support group offline, as well as check into this website here and there for ideas, answers, etc. As a side note, I am not going to join anyone's Facebook only because I keep that for my writing, not my kids. I hope no one is offended by that. As always, I will leave you with this: A confident child who tics rocks over a "perfect" child who is all messed up on the inside. Okay, that was 3 pieces of advice. Don't get all ticked off on me, now. NAMES OF PEOPLE WHO WANT TO JOIN TWITCH AND BITCH 2 IN THE COMMENTS PLEASE! Why Tics Flare Up 06/20/2009
This seems to be the season for kids to tic. Call it the end of year excitement with school, seasonal allergies, and never to be underestimated, CHLORINE - yep, that's a huge trigger. | TICKED OFF TOURETTES TALK ArchivesFebruary 2010 CategoriesAll |
RSS Feed